Posted by Sterling From TX [99.98.76.231] on Friday, March 08, 2013 at 02:28:50 :
Ok guys i really need your insight on this. I just got everything finished on my truck, interior, engine, transmission gauges...the works including a wiring harness from vintage wiring of maine. Today i finished the harness, then carefully went through and checked all the connections to make sure they were in the correct location. I wired up my ignition switch just as it described it was all correct. I turned the key and the starter motor turned over. Everything was working as it should. I was mounting the ignition switch but was having difficulty getting the bezel to cooperate. After about a half hour or so i realized that something was wrong with the threads so to make a long story short i used and ignition switch from my 1949 PW (6 Volt) as a replacement. The switches looked Identical. I wired up the switch from my 1949 PW. i turned the key and in like 5 seconds the insulation of the wire from the ignition to the starter solenoid melted. I checked my connections they were where they should have been. I can only come up with a couple of possible conclusions ...
Maybe the switch was made for 6 volt and my WM300 is 12 volt even though they look identical and both came from VPW
Because this switch was exposed to the elements for a couple years while i was in college. (Outside with windows of truck down) That some how it was defective?
I know next to nothing about electrical. What would cause something like this to happen. Prior to me changing switches i turned the key and the starter motor engaged.
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